Heavy rainfall and swollen rivers have forced the cancellation of 18 passenger trains in Punjab, including the New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat, after large sections of track were damaged by flooding. Railway officials confirmed that services along key northern corridors will remain suspended until safety inspections and repairs are completed.
The Chakki river in Punjab has caused severe erosion, damaging the down line between Pathankot and Kandori in Himachal Pradesh. Officials said the disruption has particularly affected the Jammu sector, which is now cut off from some of its busiest train connections. Among the suspended services are Katra-Subedarganj Express, Udhampur-Pathankot Express, Jammu Tawi-Varanasi Express, and Kalka-Katra Express. The decision to cancel services, according to senior railway managers, was taken as a safety-first measure. “With the track alignment disturbed by rising waters, operations cannot continue without risk,” said an official. Passengers with reservations will be informed via SMS and will receive full refunds automatically.
The impact of the cancellations is being felt across northern India, with tourism, pilgrimage and freight corridors disrupted. The New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat, a key service linking the capital with the Vaishno Devi shrine, is among the most heavily impacted routes. The suspension comes at a time when pilgrim travel was expected to rise in the weeks ahead. The cancellations highlight the growing vulnerabilities of India’s transport networks to extreme weather. In recent years, rainfall patterns in Punjab have intensified, with swollen rivers frequently damaging roads and rail tracks. Infrastructure experts argue that a sustainable adaptation plan, including eco-sensitive construction of embankments and better drainage systems, is critical for reducing future disruption.
For now, railway officials are focused on restoring normalcy. Engineers are inspecting bridges, culverts and embankments along the affected sections. Officials said services will resume only after safety clearance is given. Passengers, however, are advised to expect delays in restoration as the rains continue. Flooded villages and submerged low-lying areas across Punjab add to the urgency of relief measures. The Railways has assured that it is working in coordination with local authorities to speed up rehabilitation efforts. While the suspension of 18 trains may cause temporary inconvenience, officials emphasised that passenger safety remains the highest priority.
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